Gas-engine.



PATENTED 00f. 25,1904. P. JRHALL. GAS ENGINE, APPLIGATION FILED-TUNE 10, 1903.

no MODEL.

s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED OCT. 25, 1904.

' F. E. HALL.

GAS ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10, 1903.

3 SEEETSSHEET 3.

.30 MODEL.

partly in section.

UNirEn Era-res Patented October 25, 1904.

PATENT @rrics.

GASOLENE ENGINE COMPANY,

RATION OF MAINE.

OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPO- eras-Enema.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 773,206, dated October 25, 1904.

Application filed June 10, 1903. Serial No. 160,842. No model.) I

To col] whom, it TVI/Cby conccrn:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. HALL, of Quincy, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas Engines, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to new and useful improvements in explosive-engines; and its object is to produce an explosive-engine simple of construction and efiicient in operation.

My invention consists of certain novel features hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a construction embodying my invention, Figure l is a perspective view of my engine, Fig. 2 is a top plan view taken on the line 92 2, Fig. 3, through the engine. Fig. 3 a vertical cross-section taken on the line Fig. 2, through the engine.

Fig. i is a d .ail view of the rocking disk hereinafter dee -riled. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the rockingdisk. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the reversing mechanism hereinafter described. Figs. 1'', 5 and 9 are modified constructions of the connection between the piston and the piston-red.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The exterior of the engine consists of three cylindrical sections A, A, and A. The outer end of the casting A" is closed by the baseplate A, secured in place by the bolts A", and the opposite end of said casting A its into the inner end of the casting A, as shown in Figs. 1 and. 2. To the other end, A, of the casting A is secured the casting A by thebolts Secured in the center of the base-plate A is the bearing B", held firmly in place by the nut B", and in said bearing is located the end B of the-shaft B", which extends through the center B of the rocking or oscillating disk B, and the upper end B of said shaft B fits into the sleeve B, between which and the center portion B of the rocking diskBare located antifriction-balls B to take up the thrust. The sleeve B is located in the disk C, fast on the shaft 1) and to one side of its cent-er. Surrounding the shaft 1) is the sleeve D, and between said sleeve and another sleeve, D, are locateda number of antifriction-rolls 1) within the ring D of the casting A. Be-.

tween the disk 0 and the sleeves D and D are two plates 1), between which are suitable antifriction-rolls D to take up the thrust,

The opposite ends of the sleeves D D are held in position by the disk D. Around the outer ends of the rocking disk -B are secured the ball ends E of the piston-rods Ev by a universal joint formed by the sleeve E hearing E", and 'nut E and each of said pistonrods (of which six are shown, forminga multiple-cylinder engine) extends into acylinder E, and each has a ball end IE secured by the universal joint E in the center E of the piston E, which piston is provided with suitable packingrings E This rocking disk 5, cannot revolve, as it is held against such movement by the pin M, reciprocating in the guide M in the side of the casting A, (see Figs. 1, 4, and 5,) so that the pistoirrods areall held in positive relation to the pistons and oscillating rocking disk. A suitable pump J, secured to the main shaft 13, keeps up a con stant supply of air (and any'rnixture of crude oil, gasolcne. or any other material which makes an explosive mixture when mixed with air) through the pipe K into the chamber K, iocated around the cylinders and around the main shaft and communicating with each cylinder through the ports K through the pas-- sage K so that when each piston moves to the lower end of its stroke and uncovers the ports K the explosive mixture passes from Y pound pressure per square inch, which pressure causes the mixture to flow into each cylinder when the ports K are uncovered by the piston. On the opposite side of each cylinder are two ports K, opening into the exhaust-chamber K, which also surrounds the cylinder and the main shaft. From said exed by any suitable pipe connection and-led-to one maln exhaust. The cylinders-- and the haust-chamber K are a number of exhaus'fif working downand three compressing charges; all in different positions to the stroke. preferable to use a rotary pump connected to the main'shaft to keep up a constant supply 7 air and any mixture of gas, crude oil, and

outlets K, which, if desired, may be connect;-

shaft are kept cool by suitable water fjacket The charge entering as described and compressed is expl oded.-by a jumpspark through the sparking plug F (of any suitable constructioniin the head of each-cylinder. The electric circuit for this sparking is ob tained from the battery G which is connected bythe wireGfto the engine throughg the" binding-post G, and 'th'e'o ther wires fliriGr", (when the circuit is closed), areconnected,

through the binding-post Gand{springGr, to the metallic ring G, secured. to onesidej of 1 the disk G,o-f insulating material., This'disk G has onits faceithe metallic'ring G iand connected with this ring is the pin g-through" the, disk to make the connection through theflat 'spring G as this spring G contacts with each sparking plug, thereby exploding the charges one after another and keeping up the revolution of the main shaft D through the disk 0 and oscillating or rocking disk B. j The engine is reversed by mechanism con- I sisting of the bushing 'O, secured fasten the shaft D by a suitable screw 0, and to said bushing is secured the disk G by'gibs P, held in place by screws P. To said disk'fG is secured fast the sleeve P provided withan 'inwardlyextending pin P adapted to 'work in the slot P of the cam P1. To said cam P there is pivotally connected at P the lever L pivoted at its lower end at Lin'the casting A and having at its upperend a suitable handle L. When the lever is pushed in -to its full limit and the engine started, it may where it has been sparking, exploding the be reversed by pulling the lever out to its full extent, and, as has been arranged in prac- "tice, this reversing mechanismcauses a turn in either direction .of about one-third of a revolution. In its reversing operation the diskG is turned on-the shaft by the cam to throw the connecting-pin-of one cylinder to charge on the upcomingiof the piston, which puts the pressure on the oscillating disk B to make it oscillate in the opposite direction, which'will turn the shaft D in the oppositedirection. I Then reversing. the disk with'th'e cam back to its original position the'engine will run as first described.

The construction of this engine does away with, all valves,'i and the engine being cast in one piece all packing and ground joints are done away with, and as the engine is perfectly balanced, having, preferably, six or more pistons, it can be run steadily without afly wheel. V

In the ordlnary engine the momentum of the fly-wheel is used to compress the charges in the cylinders; but with this disk mo on,

theexplosive in onecylinder is directly 0 m pressed'by the chargeYin the opposite cyiiir piston E.

der. There will always be three cylinders It is gasolene or any other material'to make an exploslve mixture when mixed with air. The

pressure from a pump or any other waterpressure. By means of suitable side plates a a the engine may be supported as desired. a An oil-cupN supplies a lubricant to the work-' ing parts of the engine.

- In the modifiedconstructions shown in Figs. 17, 8, and!) the piston-rod a has its ball end 6 'withinthe sleeve 6 and nut e ,.and said nut is provided with an extension 6 which extends through the head'of the cylinder 2', and 5 on the end thereof is connected thescrewbolt e The packing 6 similar to the packing-E is provided on the periphery of the I do not limit myself to the arrangement and construction shown, as the same may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention, 7

Having thus described the nature of my invention and set forth a construction embodying the same, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In an' explosive-engine, a main shaft, a series of cylinders surrounding said shaft and each provided with a piston, connecting mechanism between said pistons and said shaft for communicating motion to said shaft, means independent of the piston in each chamber for I forcing air or explosive mixture under pressure to each cylinder, and means for igniting said explosive mixturein said cylinders.

2. In an explosive-engine, a main shaft, a

series of. cylinders surrounding said shaft and each provided with a piston, connecting mechanism between said pistonsand-said shaft for communicating motion to said shaft, means independent of the piston in each chamber for forcing air or explosive mixture under pressure toeach cylinde'r,.means operated by the movement of the main shaft for igniting said explosive mixture in said cylinders.

3. In an explosive-engine, a main shaft, 2. series of cylinders surrounding said shaft and each provided with a piston, connecting mechanism betweensaid pistons and said shaft for iro commun'icatingmotion to said shaft, means independent ofthe piston in each chamber for forcing air or explosivemixture under pres-; sureito each cylinder, and means mounted on the main shaft and operated. thereby for ig- Lniting the explosive mixture in said cylindersfj *4. In an explosive-engine, a main-shaft, a v

series of cylinders surrounding said shaft and. each provided with. a pistonicjonnecting mechanism between said pistons and said shaft for communicating motion to said shaft,'means independent of the piston in each chamber for forcing air or explosive mixture under pressure to each cyl1nder,.a sparking plug in each cylinder, a source of electricity, a disk of insulating material mounted on said drivingseries of cylinders surrounding said shaft and each provided with apiston, an oscillating disk for operating said shaft, "piston-rods for said pistons connected thereto and to said oscillating disk, means independent of the piston in each chamber for forcing air or explosive mixture under pressure to each c'yllnder, a

v sparking plug. in each cylinder, a source of electricity,a disk of insulating material mounted on said driving-shaft and operated thereby, means controlled by the operator for closing the electric circuit, and means on said disk engaging'with said sparking plugs for closing the electric circuittherethrough sue cessively. j

6. In an explosive-engine, a main shaft, a series of cylinders surrounding said shaft and each provided with a piston, connecting mechanism between said piston and said shaft for communicating motion to said shaft, means for preventing rotation of said connecting mechanism, means independent of the piston in each chamber for forcing air or explosive mixture under pressure to each cylinder, and means for igniting said explosive mixture in said cylinders. g

7. in an explosive-engine, a main shaft, a

series of cylinders surrounding said shaft and each provided with a piston, an oscillating disk for operating said shaft, piston-rods for said pistons connected thereto and to said oscillating disk, means, for preventing the rotation of said oscillating disk, means inde pendent of the piston in each chamber for forcing air or explosive mixture under pressure to each cylinder, a sparking plug in each cylinder, a source of electricity, a disk of insulating material mounted on said driving shaft and operated thereby, means controlled by the operator for closing the electric circuit, and means on said disk engaging with said sparking plugs forclosing the electric circuit therethroughsuccessively.

8. In an explosive-engine, a main shaft, a series of cylinders surrounding sald shaft, and

each provided with a piston, connecting mechanism between said pistons and said shaft for communicating motion to said shaft, acharnberifortheair or'explosive mixture surrounding said cylinders and communicating thlei'ewith,means independent of the piston in each chamber for forcing ear or explosive mixture under pressure intosaid chamber, and means for igniting said explosive mixture in said cylinders."v I a 9. 1n an explosive-engine, a main shaft, a series of cylinders surrounding said shaft, and each provided with a piston, connecting mechanism between said pistons andsaid shaft for communicating motion to said shaft, a chamber for the air or exploSive mixturesurround ing said cylinders and communicating therewithflmeans independent of the piston in each chamber for forcing the air or explosive mixture under pressure into said cl1amber,'means for igniting said explosive mixture in said cylinders, and a chamber surrounding said cylinders for the exhaust from said cylinders.

10. In an exp'losive engine, a main shaft, a

, series of cylinders surrounding said shaft and each provided with a piston, connecting mechanism between said pistons and said shaft for communicating motion to said shaft, means independent of the piston in eaclr chamber for forcing air or explosive mixture under pressure to each cylinder, asparking-plug in each cylinder, a source of electricity, a disk oiiinsulating material mounted on said driving-shaft and operated thereby, means controlled by the operator forclosing the electric circuit, means on said disk engaging with said sparking plugs for closingthe electric circuit theretln'ough successively, and a movable cam on said main shaftfor holding said insulating-disk in different positions on the shaft.

11. 'In an explosive-engine, a main shaft, a series of cylinders surrounding said shaft and each provided with a piston, connecting mechanism between said pistons and said shaft for communicating motion to said shaft, means independent of the piston in each chamber for forcing air or explosive mixture under pressure to each cylinder, a sparking plug in each cylinder, a source of electricity, a d'isk of insulating mate'rialcmounted on said driving-shaftand operated thereby, means controlled by the operator for closing the electric circuit, means on said disk engaging with said sparking plugs for closing the electric circuit theret-hrough successively, a movable cam on said main shaft for holding said insulating-disk in diflerentpositions on the shaft,

and an air-pump operated by said main shaft.

ton ineach cylinder for forcing air or explosure. 13. In an engine,- a main shaft, a seriesfof.

sive mixture into each cylinder under prescylinders each provided fwith a piston, an oscillating disk provided' with a rear central j' cylinderupon each complete revolution ofthe,

main shaft, and means independent of the piston. in each cylinderforforcing air or ex- 1 5v plosive mixture into each cylinder under pressure. 4. Inan explosive-engin 'eulainshaft, a series of cylinders surrounding-said shaft and each provided with a piston, cdnnecting mechanism between said pistons and said shaft forcommunicating motion to said shaft a sup ply chamber'under pressure for supplying air or explosive mixture-located around said shaft and communicating with said cylinders, and an exhaust chamber surrounding" said cylindersforthe exhaust therefrom. j 15; In an explosive-engine, a main shaft, a series of cylinders surrounding said shaft and each provided with a piston, connecting mechanism between saidpistons-and said'shaft for communicating motion tosaid shaft, a supply-#- chamber under pres'su:re for'supplying air or explosive mixture located around said shaft and around said cylinders and communicating with said cylinders, and an-exhaust-chamber surrounding said cylinders for the exhaust therefrom. I 16. In an explosive-engine, a main shaft, a series of cylinders surrounding said shaft and each provided with a piston, connecting mechanism between said pistons and said shaft for communicatingmotionto said shaft, a chamber' for air or explosive mixture communicating with said cylinders, means independent of the piston in each cylinder for forcingwair or explosive mixture into said chamber, meansf for igniting said explosive mixture in, said cylinders, and a chamber surrounding said cylinders forthe exhaust from said cylinders.

'17. Ol n an explosive-engine, a main shaft, a series of cylinders surrounding; said shaft and each provided 'with'a piston, connecting mech anism between said pistonsand said shaft for- ,communicating-motion to shaft, a cha n ging with said cylinders, means independent of ber forair 'or explosive mixture com -unimtigg the piston in'eaeh-cylinder for forcing air 'orexplosivemixturez into; saidchamber, means fen igniting said {explosive mixture ing'saidj a, cylinders, a chamber surrounding saidcylinr v djers for theexhausft from said-cylinders, and

an exhaust-portjinfeach 'cylindencontrolled' bysa'id pistons. 1 1

-; q 18:"1In anf 'xplosive-fengine,'ia mai-n' shaft, a. series of, cylinders surrounding saidshaft and eachprovided with a'piston,eonnectingmechanism between said pistons and-"said;shaft--for I communicating motion. to said-shaft, H her for air or explosivemixture'commu 'ca ing with-said cylinders,- means independen 'of the piston in each cylinder for forcingi ai'n or explosivemixture, into saidchamber, means for igniting said explosive mixture in said cylinders, a chamber for the'exhaust from said. cylinders, and an exhaust-port ineach-cylin': der controlledby said pistons." I r 7 19. In-an explosive engine', a main shafta multiple of cylinders'surrounding said shaft,

and each provided with a piston, connectin mechanism between said pistons and said shaft forcommunicating motion tosaid shaft, means "independent of' the piston in each cylinder, i

"for supplying air orex plosive mixture to said cylinders,- and means for igniting saidexplosive mixture in' all of said cylinders during each complete revolution of the main shaft."

20. In an explosive-engine, a main shaft, a] multipleof cylin derssurrounding said 'fshaftand each-provided'with -a.--pi ston, 'connecting mechanismbetweensaidpistonsiand saidshaft for communicating motion to said shaft, means .independentjofthe piston in each cylinder," for supplying-air or-explosive mixture to sai cylinders, means ,for igniting said explosive mixture in all of said "cylindersduring each complete revolution of the main shaft, and a port injeach cylinder through which theex-z rhau'st passes from each cylinder during each complete revolution of the'main shaft." a In testimony w tlereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing-witnesses, this29thday of May,}A. D. 19035- J I I QFRANKEJHALL. Witnesses:

;}A-. L; Museum-.-

7 L. HAaLow. 

